Five hospitalized when SUV crashes into Stamford police cruiser

Published 6:23 am, Friday, April 6, 2012

STAMFORD -- Five people were taken to area hospitals on Sunday, Feb. 26, after a police cruiser crashed into a sport utility vehicle in downtown Stamford.

Stamford Police Sgt. Andrew Gallagher, supervisor of the department's Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Squad, said Officer Christopher Petrizzi was responding to a report of a stabbing in a downtown parking garage shortly after 2 a.m. when his police cruiser crashed into an SUV at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Hoyt Street (See story at right to read about the stabbing).

Petrizzi was traveling southbound on Washington Boulevard as the SUV -- a Honda Ridgeline -- attempted to make a U-turn at the intersection of Hoyt Street, Gallagher said in a press release.

Witnesses said both vehicles had green traffic control signals. Washington Boulevard northbound is posted for "No Left Turn."

The 2010 Ford Crown Victoria, driven by Petrizzi, struck the passenger side of the Honda. The Ford was redirected onto the adjoining sidewalk, and reentered the roadway before coming to a stop in front of 1450 Washington Boulevard, Gallagher said.

The Honda was redirected over the raised median divider, where it knocked down a light pole and crashed into a retaining wall for an adjoining apartment complex. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage, according to the release.

Petrizzi was transported by ambulance to Stamford Hospital where he was admitted for non-life threatening injuries, including broken bones and soft tissue damage.

Church and the Florida resident were treated and released at Norwalk Hospital, Gallagher said. The other Stamford resident was treated and released at Stamford Hospital while the New York resident is still undergoing treatment, he said.

Anyone with information concerning the collision are urged to contact Officer Hugh Mullin or Sergeant Andrew Gallagher of C.A.R.S. at (203) 977-4712.

Gallagher says the investigation is ongoing and so far no charges have been filed.